ESPN is using “the greatest team in sports never played a game” as a tagline for their 30 for 30 documentary about the sports radio partnership of Mike Francesa and Chris “Mad Dog” Russo, and that “Mike and the Mad Dog” documentary’s premiere at New York’s Tribeca/ESPN Sports Film Festival Friday suggested that said greatest team is open to a potential reunion. Francesa and Russo were both there, and when they were interviewed on stage by moderator Andrea Joyce, they discussed that possibility. Joyce asked “Could you see yourselves in some form reuniting and giving the fans what they want,” Francesa said “Yes,” and Russo said “That’s the first time I’ve ever heard you say that!”
Francesa goes on to say “I think it’s possible, I really do” once he leaves WFAN in December. He then talks about how his post-WFAN plans aren’t set yet, saying “I don’t know what I’m going to do. I want to do something. …I don’t know what’s going to happen, in all seriousness, but would I listen if something was brought up about Mike and the Mad Dog, or Mike and the Mad Dog 2.0? Yeah, why not? I think it would be fun, I really do.”
That’s not exactly a ringing endorsement, but it is notable that Francesa now seems at least open to the idea if there’s a good case for it. And Russo certainly seems pretty enthusiastic about the possibility. This could make a lot of sense commercially, too, especially with the 30 for 30 on the pair hitting this summer; that might expose them to a whole new audience, and open the sponsorship gates for a potential reunion. We’ll see how it goes, but we might get Mike and the Mad Dog 2.0 after all.
[Tribeca on Twitter]
About Andrew Bucholtz
Andrew Bucholtz has been covering sports media for Awful Announcing since 2012. He is also a staff writer for The Comeback. His previous work includes time at Yahoo! Sports Canada and Black Press.
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